Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective languorous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of languorous are lackadaisical, languid, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is it sensible to use lackadaisical instead of languorous?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and languorous are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of languorous?

The synonyms languid and languorous are sometimes interchangeable, but languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

When would listless be a good substitute for languorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to languorous, listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients
listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

In what contexts can spiritless take the place of languorous?

The meanings of spiritless and languorous largely overlap; however, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of languorous His Southern drawl sounds like a languorous cross between early Brando and Mr. Blackwell. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 In the summer, people here are too busy enjoying themselves—drinking on patios, reading languorous books, stretching weekends in Crystal Beach or Sherkston out over three, four, five days—to do much of any importance. Aidan Ryan june 4, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025 Warfare tells the harrowing story of their rescue in real time—even though much of this movie is constructed from long, languorous takes, the film moves forward in tense fits and starts. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Apr. 2025 Steeped in the pleasantly lazy atmosphere of the title setting, the film is languorous, but not long. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • While not abandoning core design DNA—crisp, modern tailoring, languid sensuality, and oodles of good taste to wit—the brand delivered a collection that felt like a breath of fresh air.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Renewed federal support for drilling in the US, combined with languid global oil demand and increasing drilling by OPEC countries, has pushed oil prices to their lowest level since the pandemic.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2020, as a franchise, the Broncos looked listless and lost — a sleeping giant resting on the laurels of orange-and-blue bloods everywhere.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The air was damp and listless and the heat was something to wade through, thick as molasses.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sorry to all the girlies who are lackadaisical about leaving home and would rather rub their feet together in bed.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Patience is the hallmark of Chinese operators, but the other side of this story is the lackadaisical attitude toward security that remains all too common among Western IT managers.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Reed got her first gig at Cataloochee at the age of 19 in 1996 and has never tired of the work.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Manning’s inefficiency was on full display, and the Longhorns faithful grew tired of it during the first half.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The director noticed that the exhausted Sheen couldn't keep his eyes open even when cameras were rolling.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The result is not just one exhausted employee, but a system that steadily depletes its people.
    Sandro da Silva, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Except that four years later, on The Hills, Lauren Conrad passed it up for a guy with frosted tips and sleepy vibes.
    Megan Angelo, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
  • New York — Oracle, a large but generally sleepy cloud-computing company, just had an absolutely bonkers day on Wall Street.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The tense post-game meeting between them at midfield came with a limp handshake and loaded question from Carroll.
    Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • After 2200 hours, your arms would forever hang limp by your sides.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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